How To Win Your Personal Injury Case: 10 Ways to Maximize Your Recovery.
There is no way to guarantee results in a personal injury case, and every case is different. However, you can achieve the best possible results in your case by following these tips:
1) Take photographs of the accident and the injuries.
Photos and videos can be the most powerful evidence in your favor. If you are too injured to take photos at the scene of the accident, then have someone else do it for you.
- Photograph all vehicles involved and the damage to each.
- Photograph your injuries.
- Photograph all property damage (fences, posts, walls, guardrails).
If there is security camera footage of the accident, obtain it. If you hire a lawyer, your lawyer can do this for you.
2) Start treatment immediately and continue as advised by your doctor.
Do not wait to get treatment, and do not stop treatment early. If you do, insurance companies will use it against you as evidence that your injuries are not as severe as you say. Go to all your medical appointments. If you need help getting to or from your medical appointments, your lawyer can help you arrange transportation.
3) Hire a proven personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
The best thing you can do to maximize your recovery is to hire an experienced personal lawyer without delay. Insurance companies take advantage of people who have no lawyers or inexperienced lawyers. The insurance company’s goal is not to offer you a fair settlement. It’s to settle your case as quickly as possible for as little money as possible. As such, it’s best to talk to a personal injury lawyer before you speak to an insurance company. However, there is still time to contact a personal injury lawyer if you have already talked to an insurance company.
4) Hire a lawyer with a proven track record of winning personal injury trials.
Insurance companies pay more to the clients of lawyers with a proven track record of winning personal injury trials. Hire a lawyer who focuses their practice on personal injury law and has won honors and awards for winning trials. Not all lawyers are personal injury lawyers, and not all are trial lawyers. Suppose you hire a lawyer who does personal injury as a small part of their practice. In that case, the insurance company will pay you less. Likewise, you will receive less if you hire a lawyer who settles all their cases before trial or refers them to other lawyers to try.
5) Maintain copies of your bills, receipts, medical records, and expenses.
Documentation is essential to proving a personal injury case. Keep all your medical records together in a safe place, along with photos, videos, police reports, witness statements, and any other evidence you have. Lost or disorganized documents can harm your case. Avoid delays and complications by keeping your paperwork in order.
6) Stay off social media.
Expect defense lawyers to prowl your social media and use anything you post to prove that you are not as injured as you say. Even the most well-meaning posts can be used against you. The best thing to do is stay off social media until your case is resolved. We recommend that you follow these rules for online activities:
- Do not post anything about the case online.
- Advise your friends and family not to post anything about your case online.
- Do not provide updates on your injuries or treatment.
- Do not post photos of the accident or your injuries.
- Do not post anything related to physical activities, including travel.
- Do not post photos of yourself drinking alcohol or consuming drugs.
7) Respond promptly to your lawyer’s requests for documents and other evidence.
Ignoring your lawyer’s phone calls and requests can seriously jeopardize your case. In personal injury lawsuits, discovery and evidence are on court-mandated timelines. Failure to meet court deadlines can put your whole case at risk. Be in contact with your lawyer and stay up to date on your case. If your lawyer requests documents or other evidence, provide them on time and do not delay.
8) Be transparent with your lawyer.
Tell your lawyer all the facts of your case, including pre-existing medical conditions and details you think may make you look bad. It is your lawyer’s job to decide what is essential to your claim, and they can only do their job with all the relevant details.
9) Be prepared to testify.
Your testimony is often the most powerful evidence in your favor. Be ready to testify about the accident and your injuries at deposition and trial. Be prepared to talk about how the accident happened. Also, be ready to tell how the injuries affect your daily life and your ability to do activities. Your lawyer should be always present with you. Your lawyer should spend time with you before you testify to prepare you to respond truthfully and accurately. If you have any questions, ask your lawyer ahead of time.
10) Be patient.
Personal injury cases can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to resolve, even under the care of a skilled lawyer. However, a good lawyer will 1) maximize your recovery, 2) keep you updated on the process, and 3) manage the legal aspects of your case from start to finish so that you can focus on your recovery.